Flume-rack cleaner



April 9, 1.929. R. D. wlNGER PLUME RACK CLEANER Filed NOV. 23, 1927 wie r R p, m@

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Patented Apr. 9, 1.9429.

UNITED STATES RAYMOND D. WIN GER, OF COLFAX, WISCONSIN.

`FLCTMlll-RACK CLEANER.

Application filed November This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cleaning devices, and particularly to devices for cleaning the lumes of hydroelectric power plants.

A rack or grating is ordinarily mounted in the fiume, to check weeds, and other trash, from passing into the turbine, and such rack, in time becomes so filled with trash, that the passage of water is impeded, and the efficiency of the turbines lowered. Removing this trash from the rack or grating more or less a laborious task.

lt is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide a device by means of which the trash, accumulated on the rack, may be easily and quickly removed.

Another object is to provide a device of this character by means of which the rack or grating may be cleaned of the accumulated trash without interference with the power plant, or necessitating the stopping of the motors. i

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing:

`Figure 1 is an elevation of the rake in position on the trash rack of a flume.

`Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front elevation of the device removed from the trash rack.

Referring particularly to the accompanying drawing, 1l) represents a portion of the trash rack of the flume 11, in connection with which the present invention is especially adapted for use. The rack com- 'ises a plurality of vertical bars 12, transi. iforsely through which extend horizontal, regularly spaced bars 18, such combination of bars forming a grating which holds back trash, against passing into the turbines, or other water motors. This trash sometimes accumulates to such a degree that the flow of water is greatly decreased, thus affecting the output of the turbines. lt then becomes necessary to remove this trash.

The device for removing the trash from the rack or grating is shown in the accompanying drawing as including the yoke 111, the arms of which are spaced a greater distance apart at their lower ends than at their upper ends. Mounted in the lower ends of the arms of the yoke, and extending therebetween, is a roller 15, while a shorter 23, 1927. Serial No. 235,346.

roller 16 is mounted in, and extends between the upper end portions of the arms. These rollers are adapted to roll on the grating, over the trash, as the yoke is moved up and down on the grating. Pivotally mounted between the lower ends of the arms of the yoke 14, and extending in the direction of the grating, is a rake 17, which is adapted to swing upwardly, to pass over the trash, as the frame is lowered, and to swing down wardly into trash engaging position, when the frame is pulled up, whereby to draw the trash upwardly from the grating, as will be readily understood. Any suitable means may be employed to lower and raise thc frame, in the operation of the device. It will be noted that the tines of the rake .fit between the vertical bars of the grating, whereby to effectively remove the trash therefrom.

In the operation of the device, the frame is let down on t-he face of the grating, until the lower end thereof is reached, the tines of the rake readily riding over the accumulated trash 0n the grating. The operator then draws the device upwardly, whereby the tines of the rake pass into the spaces between the vertical bars of the grating and scrape the trash therefrom, such trash be ing carried upwardly beyond the upper end of the grating, from whence it may be removed to a convenient dumping place. The device is then moved over to the next adjacent portion of the grating, and such device lowered and again raised, as before. This is continued until the entire grating has been cleaned of the accumulated trash.

The upper roller 16 is mounted on a support 16, which is adjustable on the frame or yoke 1li, whereby such roller may be moved toward or away from the yoke, for the purpose of regulating the position of the rake with respect to the grating.

Secured to the arms of the yoke 14, transversely thereof, and above the rake teeth, is a plate 18, against which the water presses to hold the rake in proper engagement with the grating. This plate is so spaced from the rake that when the teeth of the rake swing upwardly, as when lowering the device on the grating, such teeth will engage with the plate and thereby be prevented from svvinging backwardly.

ln view of the inclination of the rack, the cleaner will assume such an inclination as to cause the rake teeth to gravitate forwardlyaganst the rack. "Secured to and extending between the parallel portions of Y the arms 14;, between the rake and the roller .'prising a triangularrame the diverged ends of the sides of which are extended in parallel vrelation andprovided with bearings which lie out ofthe plane of the frame, a transverse brace between'said extendedv ends, a transverse stop plate secured to andvextending vbetween theV diver-ged ends of the sides of the frame, a transverse shaft journaled in the said extensions, a plurality of independently 15 Vmovable cleaning fingers mounted on said shaft, a stop member below the shaft, a

roller disposed between the extensions and having pintle ends journaled therein, means on the apex of the frame for moving the 20 same over aiiume grating, and a-single roller journaled between the converged ends of the sides of the frame.

In testimony whereof, I aix my signature.

RAYMOND D. VINGER. 

